Chapter 18
Hailey only got to speak to Terence during Richard’s 80th birthday celebration. As the lights glimmered, Terence handed the birthday gift he’d prepared to the butler, who stood beside Richard.
He smiled and said, “I wish you a happy birthday and the best of health, Grandpa.”
Richard laughed. “I won’t have anything to worry about now that I see you and Hailey are happy together.”
Terence felt warmed. He nodded and spoke to Nora and Harold before heading upstairs to rest. He was about to shut the door when a pair of hands wedged between it and the door frame.
He hurriedly opened the door when he heard the muffled groan. His smile disappeared when he saw Hailey standing there. “What do you want, Halley?”
She squeezed into the room, wanting to throw herself into his arms. He backed away warily and frowned.” Spit out whatever you have to say. Don’t come near me.”
Hailey felt bitter when she saw him back away from her. “I…”
Terence lost the desire to talk to her when he saw her hesitance. He opened the door wider and looked at her. “If you have something to say, go ahead and do it. If not, please leave. I want to rest.”
She took a deep breath and looked at him seriously. “I wanted to apologize to you, Terence.”
His first thought was that this was ridiculous. “Why are you suddenly apologizing?”
She smiled bitterly. “I read your journal Only now do I know how much you went through because of me.
His gaze was calm and unaffected. It was as if he was listening to something that had nothing to do
aim.
Hailey’s gaze was tormented. “I had no idea you felt so aggrieved when I left you for Matthew. I also wanted you to know that I’ve already aborted the baby. I want to start over with you, Terence.”
Terence wanted to laugh at her supposed regret. She thought he’d only suffered a few grievances throughout their marriage. What she didn’t realize was how she’d repeatedly broken his heart.
She had no idea about the sleepless and lonely nights he’d had, how he’d forced himself to put on a smile when facing outsiders the following day.
She had no idea how terrified he’d been of them realizing how horrible his life was and making fun of or pitying him for it. He’d put on an act for so long that he’d already grown numb to everything, yet all Hailey saw were his grievances.
Terence appraised her and saw that the regret and torment in her eyes were genuine. If only she’d apologized to him sooner–when leaving him alone on their wedding night to see Matthew in his wedding tuxedo, when they’d registered their marriage, or even when she’d first asked him to marry her…
If she’d apologized to him at any of those times, he wouldn’t have been locked in this prison for five years. He wouldn’t have had to face the world with a fake smile. He wouldn’t have had to confess to a journal about his grievances while crying.
Hailey’s apology was five years too late, so Terence chose not to accept it. He didn’t want to listen to her nonsense anymore and pushed her out of the room. I’m tired. I don’t want to hear any of this anymore.”
He shut the door in her face; she didn’t get another chance to speak to him until the banquet was over. All she could do was stand beside him and watch as he bid the guests goodbye with a smile. Then, she followed him back to the annex.
A situation arose as they walked past the pond. Someone cried, “Get out of the way!”
One of the guests had given Richard a deer as a birthday gift. The household staff had intended to usher it to the backyard after the banquet, but it had broken free and run off after being startled. It charged toward Terence and Halley.
He widened his eyes at the sight of it, his feet rooted to the ground. He couldn’t move. Suddenly, a force shoved him away from behind–it was Hailey. She cried, “Watch out, Terence!”
The deer crashed into her, sending her toppling into the pond. The sheer force made her smack her head against the rock bed, and blood stained the water.
“Hailey!”
